12.30.2013

So...every year I do a post that contains my top 10 layouts from the year. This year, I can't do a top 10. Why? Because I only managed to make about 30 layouts, so I would basically be posting a third of my layouts in just this post. Why didn't I choose 5? Because I had a really hard time deciding (ha!). Here they are:

To see the products used in each layout just click on the original post links.

Did you do a favorites post for the end of the year? If so, leave me a link in the comments...I'd love to see! As always, thanks for stopping by. I hope you and your family have a safe and happy new year celebration. I can't wait to see what 2014 brings!

12.28.2013

I hope you had a nice Christmas and are gearing up for the new year! I have no idea where the year went!

I am trying a new segment on my blog called "Scraplift Saturdays." Sometimes when I'm having a creative block, it helps to scraplift a layout I love. In these posts I am actually going to attempt to scraplift myself. I hope you'll join in!

Here is the first layout that I decided to scraplift (from October 2011):

And here is my fresh, new take on it (still a selfie of E & I!):

(a secret: the paint is actually nail polish!)

This layout is also for The Studio's current challenge to use tags on your layout...which is really very easy for me. I have a minor tag addiction!

As I said, I would love to see how you scraplift this layout. If you decide to play along, please leave a link in the comments!

12.19.2013

Have you guys heard of Stitch Fix?It’s such a crazy, fun idea and I am totally
obsessed with it now…

I first heard of Stitch Fix a few months before I left on
my 7-month work trip.I knew it would
not be a good time to try out the service because my fun, new clothes would not
get much use.I have a very specific
outfit that I have to wear for work and I was doing all my work in a third
world country – not really a place to be fashionable.But I also knew that it was something that I
wanted to try as soon as I got back.

If you have not heard of Stitch Fix, let me give you a
basic run down:

(1) You fill out a style profile.This profile asks you to fill out your sizes,
how you like your clothes to fit, which areas of your body you like to flaunt
and what you prefer to keep covered.They also present with you a bunch of different outfits and you have to
say whether or not you like them.There
is even an option to leave a link to one of your Pinterest boards so they can
get an even better idea of what your style is.

(2) After your style profile is complete, you schedule
your “fix.”I was really excited about
this because I was under the impression that this was a monthly “club”…but it’s
not!You can schedule your fixes as
often as you want.I plan on scheduling fixes
every few months or so.

(3) Your fix arrives!Each fix includes 5 items.

(4) Try everything on.Anything that you don’t like can be returned within 3 days using the
self-addressed, pre-paid envelope that is included in your package.Also, after trying everything on, log into
your Stitch Fix account and review all the items you received in your fix.Tell them what you loved and what you
hated…and why.The fixes are supposed to
get better as they gather more information on you and your style preferences.

Pricing:There is
a $20 “styling” fee for every box.However, if you decide to purchase anything in the box, you
automatically get to put that $20 toward the cost of the item(s)…pretty good
deal.The website also claims that
clothing items cost an average of $65 per piece.However, this is really dependent on how you
fill out your style profile.There is a “less
than $50 per piece” option and while they do not guarantee that every piece
will be in your requested price range, they do say they try as hard as
possible.Also, if you end up loving all
5 pieces in your fix, then you get a 25% discount off the entire box.

One of the cool things about the Stitch Fix community is
that many users post reviews of their boxes.When I was deciding whether or not to try Stitch Fix, I googled “Stitch
Fix reviews” and spent a good hour or two jumping from blog to blog.That’s why I decided to do my own review…maybe
it can help someone decide whether or not they want to take the plunge and join
the Stitch Fix movement.

So, without further ado, here is what my first fix
included…also, please ignore the awkward posing…I am so not a fashion blogger!!

Item 1: Halsey Graphic Print Skirt

Loved the pattern…hated the poofy waistband.I would have definitely kept this skirt if
not for the waistband.I’m not a fan of
tucking my shirts into my skirts.

Each item comes with an outfit card showing you two ideas
for how to wear the piece…very convenient for someone who is not the best with
putting together her own outfits (ahem, me!)!

Item 2:Kalie
Denim Jacket

My stylist, Amanda, suggested that I wear this jacket
with a white t-shirt and the Halsey Graphic Print Skirt.Unfortunately, the jacket didn’t fit me quite
right.Also, it was really expensive for
a denim jacket.

Item 3:Clemency
Solid Tab-Sleeve Tunic

I loved this tunic.It was a bit big, but I think with a skinny belt, it will look
cute.I also loved the color.

Item 4:Dana
Striped Jersey Skirt

The skirt was comfy and I liked the way it fit.
Unfortunately, I was having a really hard time figuring out a good shirt to
wear with it.The style card outfit
suggestions did not match my style at all, so they didn’t help me much.

Item 5:Lina Mini
Chevron Print Dress

I styled this dress with red shoes and a red belt and
really loved the results.I thought the dress
was pretty flattering…plus, I always love a chevron print!

Final thoughts:I
did think this box was sort of all over the place style-wise, but I’m assuming
this is because they are trying to figure me out.I ended up keeping the tunic and the dress.I had a ton of fun with this box and I am
already looking forward to my next one.I’ve scheduled my next fix for the first week in February, so I apologize
ahead of time to my postal carrier for the stalking!

*I have no affiliation with Stitch Fix except that I am
one of their customers.I will not
receive any compensation for this review.However, the link provided is a referral link that will give me Stitch
Fix credit if anyone decides to use it.*

12.17.2013

I have a layout to share with you today. It's fairly simple and it was really quick to make.

I also wanted to play along with The Studio's current challenge. When I left on my work-cation one of the things I was saddest about was having to leave The Studio's design team. They definitely inspired me to make some fun layouts...so I figured if I keep playing along with their challenges then I will continue to be inspired! Their current challenge is to use stars on your project:

I have also found that I love scrapping with Project Life cards. They are easy to use and quickly add some great design elements to any project. I'm sure I will be lifting this design again many times in the future!

12.13.2013

I wanted to pop in to share a few of the Project Life
pages that I finished up recently.Most
of them were almost complete with the exception of a filler card or two.I’m hoping to be completely caught up with
Project Life by the end of the week…but I will spare you from seeing all the
spreads. :o)These are just some of my favorites:

Week 17

This was the week of my friend Kari’s bachelorette
party.She had it in Myrtle Beach,
SC.My favorite part of the spread is the
pocket that contains all the clothing tags from our shopping trip to the
outlets…of course, I had to include a confetti pocket!

Week 19

We traveled all over the country this week, including to
Iowa for a wedding.

Molly Grace

I didn’t break my work-cation into weeks…I didn’t take
enough pictures every week to be able to do that.However, I did make a lot of spreads that documented
big events, including the birth of our niece, Molly Grace, and the baptism of
both nieces.I was sad that I missed the
baptism, but so lucky that I was sent plenty of pictures from the event!

12.09.2013

I'm back from my 7ish-month-long work trip - and it's good to be back. I missed my family, friends and "creative time" quite a bit. Eric and I have moved into a new place, so we are spending a great deal of our time unpacking and settling in. I don't quite have my creative time back just yet, but my fingers are crossed that I will get some scrappiness in next weekend.

While I was gone, I sort of kept up with Project Life. There was a lot of stuff that I couldn't do just because I didn't have all my stuff with me. (I know Project Life is suppose to be simple, but I have more fun when I add embellishments!) Eric sent me a few of my Studio Calico kits and I did what I could. I inserted a BUNCH of stickies with notes to myself on what details to add when I got home. That will be a good first project to tackle when I can.

I also made a layout while I was gone. My beautiful niece, Molly Grace, was born in June and for my sister-in-law's birthday, I decided to make a layout of her girls and frame it. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the layout framed. But here is the layout:

And I know I'm biased, but I truly think my nieces are the prettiest girls around...

For this layout, I scraplifted this amazing layout by Corrie Jones. I developed a huge scrap-crush on her while I was away, so I expect to see some of her influence in more of my layouts in the future.

Okay, I'm off to do some more unpacking. Thanks so much for stopping in...I missed you guys!!